Opioid Crisis Among Black Americans Hiding in Plain Sight
Roughly 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose, according to the CDC. Opioids, which include illicit drugs such as heroin and prescribed painkillers such as oxycodone, have led to the deaths of nearly 400,000 people from 1999 to 2017. The epidemic, which started in white, middle class neighborhoods, is largely portrayed with compassion in the media. The same compassion isn’t afforded to Black people who use opioids.
Natasha Cheatham is looking to change that.